To Benjamin Franklin from Crèvecœur, [24 June or 1 July 1783]
From Crèvecœur
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Paris Tuesday Night— [June 24 or July 1, 1783]6
Sir
I forgot the other day To Inquire of you where I cou’d procure Two of Your Medals,7 which I have Imprudentely promised in Normandy—after Fruitless Inquirys, I find myself obliged to ask you that Question, being Anxious To procure them Ere I Leave the Capital which will be on Saturday—
I am with unfeigned Respect Sir Your Very Humble Servt.
St. Jean DE Crèvecœur
Addressed: a Son Excellence / Benjamin Franklin Ecuyer / Plènypotentiaire des Etats unis de Lamérique / Passy
6. The two most likely Tuesdays. Crèvecœur’s appointment as consul, conferred in recognition of his report on the United States (see XXXIX, 421–2n), was signed on June 22. Anticipating a quick departure, he hastened to Normandy to bid farewell to his family and friends and was there by at least July 9. On Aug. 24 he was named consul to New York, and in September he sailed on the first of the packets in the newly created service to North America: Anne Mézin, Les Consuls de France au siècle des lumières (1715–1792) (Paris, 1998), pp. 542–4; Robert de Crèvecœur, Saint John de Crèvecoeur: sa vie et ses ouvrages (1735–1813) (Paris, 1883), pp. 79–80, 82, 85.
7. The Libertas Americana medal, an illustration of which was used on the title page of the 2nd ed. of Crèvecœur’s Lettres d’un cultivateur américain (Paris, 1787).